Three uniform spheres are fixed at the positions shown
in the diagram. Assume they are completely isolated and
there are no other masses nearby.
(a) What is the magnitude of the force on a 0.20 kg particle
placed at the origin (Point P)? What is the direction of this
force?
(b) If the 0.20 kg particle is placed at (x,y) = (-500 m, 400 m)
and released from rest, what will its speed be when it reaches
the origin?
(c) How much energy is required to separate the three masses
so that they are very far apart?
2 answers